Highland wolverines enjoy the snow

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Wolverines pair Tina and Xale have been enjoying the thick layer of snow which has fallen at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park.

The duo were introduced in 2015 and soon became parents to the first wolverine kits to be born and reared in Scotland and only the third litter in the UK.

Wolverines were once native to the British Isles, before being hunted to extinction 8,000 years ago. They are well suited to the cold temperatures of their native range with long, dense fur which doesn’t retain water, making it very resistant to frost, and broad, hairy paws which allow them to move easily over deep snow.

The species, also known as ‘the glutton’ or ‘skunkbear’, are the largest member of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, stoats, badgers and otters. They are noted for their great strength and fierce nature, and have the ability to kill prey many times their size.